INTRODUCTION
Outline.
The Ruin (tribulation) at His Coming
Remarks.
1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing a theme: “the ruin (tribulation) at His coming.” We will address the second theory in pre-millennialism in this lesson: “the 7 years of tribulation” upon the earth. Some teach this shall occur at the second advent of Christ. Paul’s second Letter to the Thessalonians establishes that at the Lord’s Second Advent, “there will be a (caught up) of the saint into the air.”
2. We will discuss the question, “will there be a ruin or 7-years of tribulation at His coming?” As mention earlier, these teachers believe the rapture will remove the saints from the ongoing tribulation taking place upon the earth.
3. Paul in his second Letter to the Thessalonians wrote: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come ... in that day,” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.
4. Paul states: “they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.” Not, for seven years as these teachers advocate. Let’s consider this second lesson in this series.
BODY OF LESSON
THE RUIN (TRIBULATION) AT HIS COMING
A. An overview of the “7 years of tribulation” as taught by pre-millennialist. Reference: See God's Prophetic Word, by Foy Wallace, p. 347-349; cf. Lion and the Lamb on Planet Earth, by Rodney Miller.1 There are many views regarding the pre-millennialist’s theories. We will discuss Paul’s discourse on the return of Christ to exercise judgment on those that persecute the saints. Notice:
1. Seven years of tribulation. During this time of trial there will be great suffering on earth for the wicked. “At the end of the 7 years, the forces of evil will gather to fight against Jesus, who will visibly return (Gr: epiphaneia) to defeat them at the battle of Armageddon.”1 This is the second part of the theory of pre-millennialism. We will speak to the “Battle of Armageddon” in our list point in this lesson.
2. Text of discussion. Paul wrote: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day,” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.
B. Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven. Paul sets forth this idea: “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,” 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:13. Paul in his earlier writings to these saints, suggest that God shall bring vengeance on those that trouble them. This shall occur when the Lord is revealed from heaven. The text sets forth these few things:
1. The Lord shall be revealed from heaven.
2. The Lord shall be accompanied with His mighty angels.
3. To inflict “vengeance upon them that trouble the saints.”
C. In flaming fire. Jesus is coming: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 2 Thessalonians 1:8. Paul outlines three things at His coming in this text. Notice:
1. He is coming “in flaming fire,” 2 Peter 3:9-12.
2. He is coming to “take vengeance on them,” Revelation 22:12-13.
3. He is coming to pronounce judgment upon:
a. One, “that know not God,” Acts 17:30-31; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11.
b. Two, “that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,”2 Thessalonians 1:8-9.
c. Three, “Judgment will begin at the house of God,” 1 Peter 4:17-18; Romans 2:16.
4. Pre-millennialists teach this will be His “second return to the earth.” They allege:
a. This will be a “visibly return to earth.” The first return was invisible, if you recall in our previous point in this lesson.
b. This will culminate the 7 years of tribulation.
c. This will spark the “battle of Armageddon.” In this battle, Jesus will, “puts all enemies under His feet,” Psalms 110:1.
d. Christ will defeat the forces of evil that gather to fight against Him. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed,” Psalms 2:1-2.
e. After the defeat of His enemies, the Lord will:
1) Set up His earthly kingdom. This presupposes that the kingdom of Christ has not yet been established. Jesus said to Pilot: “My kingdom is not of this world,” John 18:36.
2) Begin His 1000 years reign upon David’s throne.
3) Reign in Palestine, the city of Jerusalem.
f) Pre-millennialist expends great energy to advance this doctrine. These assertions are fabricated by pre-millennialist’s teaching and preaching.
5. Paul however, makes no mention of these events in his Letter to the Thessalonians. He clearly establishes these things. Notice:
a. "In that day" at Jesus' coming; and His revelation from heaven with His holy angels, the following will happen:
1) The afflicted Christians will receive their desired rest.
2) Those who know not God and obey not the gospel of Christ, will receive:
a) Vengeance in flaming fire,
b) Punishment, and
c) Eternal destruction, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9.
b. Conclusion: The righteous will enter their rest from their troubles on the same "day" that the wicked will be punished. There is no time between these judgments of Christ. Judgment will take place on the last day. Notice:
1) Jesus said: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day,” John 12:48.
2) Jesus’ teaching of judgment: “When Jesus comes with the holy angels, then all nations are gathered and He will separate the good from evil,” Matthew 25:31-46.
a) The righteous will enter eternal life, Matthew 25:34; Matthew 25:46.
b) The wicked will depart into everlasting fire, Matthew 25:41; Matthew 25:46.
c) There will not be two comings, nor will the righteous be enjoying rest; while the wicked are punished.
d) Both the good and evil shall enter into their final reward at the same time.
3) Paul to Timothy: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom,” 2 Timothy 4:1.
4) Paul to the Roman saints: “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living,” Romans 14:9.
c. But premillennialists teach the righteous will rest and rejoice through the rapture and millennium before the wicked and ungodly are punished. Paul makes no mention of this rapture or millennium at the Lord’s coming. We will address these and other assertions in the last point in our lesson.
D Who shall be punished. Those He takes vengeance upon: “Shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:9. I want to emphasize the words, “everlasting destruction.”
E. When he come to be glorified. This will occur: “When Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day,”2 Thessalonians 1:10. When we meet again, we will consider the last point in this series, will there be “The Reign (1000 years) of Christ,” upon the earth.
References:
a. I recommend the [Neal – Wallace Discussion on “The thousand Years Reign of Christ”] by Foy E. Wallace, Jr., Publication, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Copyright 1933. This discussion was conducted at Winchester, Kentucky, during January 2 to 6, 1933.
b. 1God's Prophetic Word, by Foy Wallace, p. 347-349; cf. Lion and the Lamb on Planet Earth, by Rodney Miller.
c. 2Merriam-Webster, since 1828, by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (merriam-webster.com), 2017.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
The Ruin (tribulation) at His Coming
B. Summarize main points.
1. We have discussed the question, “will there be ruin or 7-years of tribulation at His coming?” As mention earlier, these teachers believe the rapture will remove the saints from the ongoing tribulation taking place upon the earth.
2. Paul in his second Letter to the Thessalonians wrote: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come... in that day,” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.
3. Paul stated: “the ungodly shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.” Not, for seven years as these teacher’s advocate. We have also found this theory to be absolutely false.
C. Invitation. Present the plan of salvation. H, B, R, C, B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
